The Federal University of Technology, Babura in Jigawa State has announced a 100% waiver of tuition and school fees for students admitted to study B.Sc Mathematics and B.Sc Physics. The waiver covers the full duration of the degree programme, according to a statement signed by the university's Registrar, Mrs Fatima Muhammad, on Wednesday.
The initiative is designed to push more Nigerian students into science courses and help close the country's shortage of skilled professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences, the STEMM fields. The university said Nigeria still needs more experts in science-related fields and that the policy is one way to get young people interested in careers that matter for national development.
"To address this gap, the Management of the Federal University of Technology, Babura has approved a waiver of school fees for candidates admitted into the B.Sc Mathematics and B.Sc Physics programmes," the statement read.
The university said beneficiaries will not receive discounted fees. "Beneficiaries will enjoy 100% waiver of tuition and school fees," Mrs Muhammad stated.
The move targets two courses that often record lower application numbers despite their importance to innovation, technology, research and teaching. Mathematics and Physics are foundational for engineering, computing, data science and a range of technical professions, but enrolment in these programmes has lagged behind other disciplines in many Nigerian institutions.
The waiver takes effect immediately for the current admission cycle. Qualified candidates who want to take advantage of the offer can still apply, even if they did not initially select FUT Babura or either course during their JAMB registration.
The registrar advised interested candidates who meet the admission requirements to visit any accredited JAMB CBT Centre and process a change of institution or course. "Interested and eligible candidates are advised to effect a change of institution and course to FUT, Babura at any JAMB CBT Centre," she added.
This is a standard route for Nigerian applicants. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board runs the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, and candidates can change their preferred institution or course through accredited computer-based test centres when they want to switch choices before admission lists are finalised.
The university also framed the free tuition scheme as part of its effort to make science education more accessible, particularly for students from northern Nigeria and other underserved communities. Cost is a major barrier for many families, and the full waiver removes that obstacle for students who meet the entry requirements.
Prospective students have been encouraged to contact the university's admissions office for more information about eligibility requirements and the admission process. The university said the school fee waiver takes effect immediately for the current admission cycle, giving qualified candidates the chance to earn a science degree without worrying about tuition costs.
FUT Babura is one of the newer federal universities of technology in Nigeria. It was established to expand access to technical education in the northern part of the country. The university offers programmes across engineering, science and related fields, with the new waiver aimed at strengthening enrolment in the sciences.
The announcement comes at a time when Nigerian universities are competing for students in science and technology programmes. Many institutions report lower interest in core science courses compared to business and social science programmes, a trend that education officials have linked to weak science preparation at secondary school level and limited career awareness.
For students who missed the initial choice of institution or course, the JAMB change process offers a second chance. The university's message is clear: eligible candidates can still switch to FUT Babura and take up Mathematics or Physics through any accredited JAMB CBT Centre.
The full waiver means students pay nothing for tuition and school fees across their years of study. That covers the cost of enrolment, though the university did not specify whether other charges, such as accommodation or departmental levies, are included in the waiver.
The statement did not give a deadline for applications or a cap on the number of beneficiaries. The university has directed interested candidates to its admissions office for guidance on eligibility and the admission process.
The policy is one of several recent attempts by Nigerian institutions to boost science enrolment. Federal and state governments have repeatedly called for more graduates in science and technology to support the country's industrialisation plans, and universities have experimented with scholarships and fee reductions to attract students into these fields.
For now, the offer stands for the current admission cycle. Candidates who meet the requirements and complete the change of institution or course at a JAMB CBT Centre can pursue a degree in Mathematics or Physics at no cost.
Source: Pulse.ng
